I gasped at the sight, my affinity for earth flourishing to life. “Oh.” I tugged him toward a stunning pink-and-white blossom, my free hand reaching for the magical bloom.
He allowed it, saying nothing as I stroked the petals to learn the name of the pretty flower.
An Oriental lily. “I’ve never heard of that,” I mused out loud. “Where is this from?”
“The Human Realm,” he replied softly.
I stroked another flower a few feet away, the fiery embers sizzling along my fingertips. Acheron kiss, the essence whispered through my mind. I frowned. “What about this one?”
“Underworld,” he replied. “From a Hell Fae.”
My eyebrows lifted. “A Hell Fae?” I was familiar with the infamous species. Their realm was considered the land of rejected fae. “You’ve talked to a Hell Fae?” They were strictly forbidden by all the realms, their powers too volatile and unpredictable. Many wanted them dead, just like abominations. And there were rumors that the Hell Fae themselves were abominations, too.
“I’ve met a few. They’re not very pleasant,” Zakkai said, his thumb stroking along my hand. “But I didn’t bring you out here for a flower tutorial, Aflora. I have someone for you to meet.”
“But how did you find this plant?” I asked. “Are all of these created by magic?”
“My magic, yes,” he murmured, gently pulling me back to the path. “This entire paradigm is mine. I’ve chosen the colors and the landscape, and I’ve even created the sun to rival that of our exterior. Your description of a bubble sort of works in that sense—I’ve ensured our sun rises and sets with the outside world, to help us blend.”
“The sun never sets,” I pointed out. It was a trait I rather enjoyed about his little oasis.
“During this time of year, no, it doesn’t,” he agreed. “But in six months, it’ll never rise.”
I frowned. “Ever?”
“Just for a few months, then it’ll come back again.” He led me through a gate of stunning vines, and I took a moment to appreciate the lack of snakes and cruel creatures. This reminded me more of my home with all the thriving life and happiness.
“What realm has sun for only half a year?” I asked as I gazed at the trees and mountains beyond. They all whispered their species back to me, the myriad of names setting my Earth Fae soul on fire. I wanted to frolic among them, learn all about their roots, and create several of my own.
“There are certain places in the Human Realm with unique lighting. This is one of them.”
I paused midstep. “We’re in the Human Realm?”
He dipped his chin. “In a place they’ll never look,” he added. “This continent is mostly uninhabitable for mortal beings, making it a perfect place for me to hide this paradigm.”
My lips parted, surprised at his honesty. Unless he was lying just to test me. “I could tell Zeph that.”
He lifted a shoulder. “You could, but you won’t.”
“How do you know?” I pressed. “I’ve left my connections open to him.” Shade had blocked me out again, which I’d allowed because I knew he had his reasons. He reached out once a day to check on me and had joined a few of the dreams this week. However, most of the time, he resisted my pull, something I could have forced but chose not to. Whatever he was up to would become clear at some point.
“You value his life,” Zakkai replied simply.
I stopped walking again. “Are you saying you’ll kill him if I tell him?”
“Not directly,” he replied, tugging me forward once more. “My walls are reinforced. If he tries to force his way through, he won’t survive. No one will. Best not to tempt fate, hmm?”
“You’re saying he’ll try to find me if I say where we are,” I translated.
“Won’t he?” Zakkai countered, his eyes glittering in the sun as he glanced at me. “He’s not adept at hiding his frustrations, Aflora. He doesn’t appreciate me taking away his control over you and your fate. But in this case, I’m the only one who can truly protect you. He’ll see that eventually.”
“For how long?” I asked, eyeing the cluster of trees at the end of the path. We appeared to be heading into the forest.
“What do you mean?”
“How long do you intend to keep me here?” I rephrased.
He lifted a shoulder. “That remains to be seen.”